Superior efficacy of clopidogrel plus acetylsalicylic acid compared with extended-release dipyridamole plus acetylsalicylic acid in preventing arterial thrombogenesis in healthy volunteers

INTRODUCTION: Recent ex vivo platelet aggregometry data indicate that clopidogrel 75 mg/day plus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 75 mg/day is a more potent antiplatelet regimen than the marketed combination of dipyridamole+ASA. The present study was designed to assess the antithrombotic effect of both dual antiplatelet regimens using a human ex vivo model of arterial thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. During two 10-day treatment periods separated by a 14-day washout period, 23 healthy male volunteers received once-daily clopidogrel 75 mg plus acetylsalicylic acid 75 mg, or twice-daily extended-release dipyridamole 200 mg plus acetylsalicylic acid 25 mg. Assessments were made at baseline and on Day 10 of each period. Arterial thrombus formation was induced ex vivo by exposing a collagen-coated surface in a parallel-plate perfusion chamber to native blood for 3 min (arterial wall shear rate 2600 s(-1)). Total platelet and fibrin deposition was determined by immunoenzymatic methods. RESULTS: Compared with baseline values, the mean inhibition of total platelet deposition was 63.9+/-5.9% with clopidogrel plus acetylsalicylic acid, compared with 18.4+/-5.6% for extended-release dipyridamole plus acetylsalicylic acid (67% reduction; 95% CI, 49-79%; p<0.0001). Corresponding figures for fibrin deposition were 64.9+/-4.8% and 18.3+/-9.7%, respectively (58% reduction; 95% CI, 45-67%; p<0.0001). Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel plus acetylsalicylic acid showed significantly superior antithrombotic efficacy compared with extended-release dipyridamole plus acetylsalicylic acid in preventing arterial thrombogenesis in humans.     

Reduced thrombus cohesion in an ex vivo human model of arterial thrombosis induced by clopidogrel treatment: kinetics of the effect and influence of single and double loading-dose regimens

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of clopidogrel on ex vivo thrombogenesis with those on ADP-dependent platelet aggregation, and to compare single and double loading-dose regimens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Step 1: Volunteers (n=12) received clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 8 days. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was measured in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Thrombogenesis was measured in an ex vivo model. Clopidogrel produced rapid platelet inhibition, increasing up to day 5. Maximal intensity of platelet aggregation correlated with density of platelet thrombus, surface of collagen covered by platelets and thrombus cross-sectional surface (p<0.001). Step 2: On day 1, volunteers (n=60) randomly received clopidogrel 75 mg, a single 300-mg loading dose or two 300-mg loading doses separated by a 12-h interval. On day 2, all volunteers received clopidogrel 75 mg. Both loading dose regimens enhanced platelet inhibition at all time points (p<0.03 vs. clopidogrel 75 mg). After 3 h, the antiplatelet effect of a loading dose was substantial, and the mean decrease in dense thrombus surface was greater in the loading-dose groups than in the 75 mg group (p=0.041 for the single loading dose). Ex vivo, there were no significant differences between loading-dose groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel reduces arterial thrombus cohesion by an effect that correlates with inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. A single 300-mg loading dose provides a rapid onset of such an antithrombotic effect, which was more significant at 24 h with the double loading dose.     

Dipyridamole inhibits platelet aggregation in whole blood

Dipyridamole possesses antithrombotic properties in the animal and in man but it does not inhibit platelet aggregation in plasma. We evaluated the effect of dipyridamole ex vivo and in vitro on platelet aggregation induced by collagen and adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP) in human whole blood with an impedance aggregometer. Two hundred mg dipyridamole induced a significant inhibition of both ADP- and collagen-induced aggregation in human blood samples taken 2 hr after oral drug intake. Administration of the drug for four days, 400 mg/day, further increased the antiplatelet effect. A significant negative correlation was found between collagen-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood and dipyridamole levels in plasma (p less than 0.001). A statistically significant inhibition of both collagen (p less than 0.0025) and ADP-induced (p less than 0.005) platelet aggregation was also obtained by incubating whole blood in vitro for 2 min at 37 degrees C with dipyridamole (3.9 microM). No such effects were seen in platelet-rich plasma, even after enrichment with leukocytes. Low-dose adenosine enhanced in vitro inhibition in whole blood. Our results demonstrate that dipyridamole impedes platelet aggregation in whole blood by an interaction with red blood cells, probably involving adenosine.     

Effect of clopidogrel treatment on stress-induced platelet activation and myocardial ischemia in aspirin-treated patients with stable coronary artery disease

Stress may counteract responses to antiplatelet drug treatment. We investigated if adding clopidogrel to aspirin treatment could attenutate stress-induced platelet activation and myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-one male patients with documented CAD-treated with aspirin (75-160 mg daily) were randomized to co-treatment with clopidogrel (n = 16) or placebo (n = 15). A symptom-limited exercise test and 48-hour (h) Holter monitoring were performed before and after two weeks of double-blind treatment. Platelet function was assessed by flow cytometry and impedance aggregometry in whole blood. Exercise-induced and ambulatory ischemia was assessed from electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings. Clopidogrel treatment inhibited ADP-induced platelet P-selectin expression by 64% (22-87%), and attenuated the P-selectin response to thrombin (p < 0.001), and platelet aggregation induced by low-dose collagen (p < 0.01). Exercise ( approximately 110W) increased heart rate similarly, and caused approximately 1.8 mm ST-segment depression both before and after treatment. Exercise caused platelet activation, i.e. increased circulating activated single platelets and platelet-platelet aggregates, enhanced the in-vitro responsiveness to ADP or thrombin stimulation, and increased platelet-leukocyte aggregation. Clopidogrel inhibited ADP-induced platelet activation to a similar relative degree at rest and during exercise, but did not attenuate the platelet activating effect of exercise. Addition of clopidogrel to aspirin treatment did not attenuate either ambulatory or exercise-induced ischemia. In conclusion, adding clopidogrel to aspirin treatment inhibited platelet activation by both ADP, thrombin and collagen in vitro, but did not influence the prothrombotic responses to exercise. Intensified antiplatelet treatment did not reduce ECG signs of either exercise-induced or ambulatory myocardial ischemia.     

Antithrombotic effects of ximelagatran plus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel plus ASA in a human ex vivo arterial thrombosis model

It was the objective of this study to compare the antithrombotic effects and bleeding profiles of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran, an anticoagulant, and the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel on top of steady-state acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a human arterial thrombosis model. Healthy male volunteers (n=62) received ASA (160 mg once daily), plus either clopidogrel for 6 days (loading dose 300 mg, then 75 mg once daily), or a single dose of ximelagatran (36 or 72 mg) on Day 6. Changes in total thrombus area (TTA) under low shear rate (LSR; 212 s(-1)) and high shear rate (HSR; 1690 s(-1)) conditions were measured, using the ex vivo Badimon perfusion chamber model pre-dose and 2 and 5 hours after dosing on Day 6, and capillary bleeding times (CBT) were determined. Ximelagatran plus ASA significantly reduced TTA under LSR and HSR, compared with ASA alone. Ximelagatran plus ASA reduced TTA more than clopidogrel plus ASA under LSR after 2 hours (36 mg, P=0.0011; 72 mg, P<0.0001) and 5 hours (72 mg, P=0.0057), and under HSR after 2 and 5 hours (72 mg, P<0.05). Compared with ASA alone, CBT was markedly prolonged by clopidogrel plus ASA (ratio 6.4; P<0.0001) but only slightly by ximelagatran plus ASA (72 mg ximelagatran, ratio 1.4; P=0.0010). Both drug combinations were well tolerated. Oral ximelagatran plus ASA has a greater antithrombotic effect in this human ex vivo thrombosis model and a less pronounced prolongation of bleeding time than clopidogrel plus ASA.     

The platelet inhibiting effect of a clopidogrel bolus dose in patients on long-term acetylsalicylic acid treatment

INTRODUCTION: Addition of clopidogrel to patients treated with ASA has been shown to decrease the incidence of in-stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, it has also been reported that up to 30% of patients do not achieve adequate platelet inhibition from standard dosages of ASA and clopidogrel. There is a demand for reliable methods to measure the individual platelet inhibiting effect of this combination therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary aim of the present investigation was to compare three methods for evaluation of the platelet inhibiting effect of a clopidogrel bolus dose in patients on long-term acetylsalicylic acid treatment. Thirty patients presenting for coronary angiography/PCI were included. Two patients were excluded due to technical problems. All patients were on 75-100 mg ASA/day for at least 8 days. Blood samples were analysed before and 16 h after a 300 mg clopidogrel bolus dose. The platelet inhibiting effect was measured with (1) Whole blood flow cytometry (17 patients); (2) a bed-side test, Platelet Mapping assay for the thrombelastograph (28 patients); and (3) PFA (Platelet function analyser) -100 (26 patients). RESULTS: With flow cytometry, the percentage of platelets expressing P-selectin (p=0.03) on their surface decreased significantly after the bolus dose of clopidogrel. There was also a reduction of platelets binding fibrinogen when stimulated with ADP. A significantly (p=0.002) increased platelet inhibition could also be demonstrated with Platelet Mapping. PFA-100 could not measure any significant platelet inhibiting effect of clopidogrel. CONCLUSION: A significant platelet inhibition could be demonstrated with flow cytometry and the Platelet Mapping assay, but not with PFA-100. However, levels of response for the individual patient with these three methods were inconsistent. Further studies are needed to evaluate how the results correlate to the clinical risk of thrombosis and bleeding.     

Comparison of the inhibitory effects of the TXA2 receptor antagonist, vapiprost, and other antiplatelet drugs on arterial thrombosis in rats: possible role of TXA2.

The antithrombotic effect of the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, vapiprost, was compared with those of other antiplatelet drugs using an arterial thrombosis model which utilized photochemical reaction in the rat femoral artery. Vapiprost prolonged the time required to occlude the artery with thrombus and inhibited collagen-induced rat platelet aggregation in whole blood ex vivo, in a dose-dependent manner. The potency ranking of antithrombotic effect was vapiprost > ketanserin (serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) > ticlopidine (inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation) = dipyridamole (adenosine uptake inhibitor) > aspirin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor). On the other hand, the ranking of antiplatelet effect was ticlopidine > or = vapiprost > or = aspirin. Ketanserin and dipyridamole were ineffective. Relative to their antiplatelet effect, vapiprost and ketanserin had powerful antithrombotic effects. It is possible that the potent antithrombotic effects of vapiprost and ketanserin in vivo reflect the ability of these drugs to inhibit mediator-induced vascular contractions in addition to platelet aggregation. The results of the present study also suggest that TXA2 may play an important role in thrombogenesis in rats.     

Assessment of ADP-induced platelet aggregation with light transmission aggregometry and multiple electrode platelet aggregometry before and after clopidogrel treatment

The level of platelet aggregation, measured with light transmission aggregometry (LTA) in platelet rich plasma (PRP), has been shown to predict outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, measuring parameters of platelet function with LTA is time consuming and weakly standardized. Thus, a fast and standardized method to assess platelet function after clopidogrel treatment would be of great value for clinical practice. A new method, multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA), to rapidly measure platelet aggregation in whole blood has recently been developed. The aim of this study was to assess parameters of platelet function with MEA and LTA before and after administration of 600 mg clopidogrel. Blood samples from 149 patients scheduled for coronary angiography were taken after clopidogrel treatment; in addition, in 60 of the patients samples were available before clopidogrel treatment. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was measured with LTA and simultaneously in whole blood with MEA on the Multiplate analyzer. Platelet aggregation measured with MEA decreased significantly after clopidogrel treatment (P < 0.0001). ADP-induced platelet aggregation assessed with MEA and LTA correlated significantly (Spearman rank correlation coefficient = 0.71; P < 0.0001). The results of MEA, a fast and standardized method to assess the platelet response to ADP prior to and after clopidogrel treatment, correlate well with LTA.     

Role of plasma adenosine in the antiplatelet action of HL 725, a potent inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase: species differences

The potent inhibitor of platelet cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) HL 725 (9,10-Dimethoxy-2-mesitylimino-3-methyl-3, 4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrimido(6,1-A)-isoquinoline-4-one-hydrochloride), was examined for its effects on human and rat platelet aggregation. Strong inhibitory effects are seen on collagen-induced platelet aggregation both in rat platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (IC50, 54 +/- 12 nM) and whole blood (IC50, 57 +/- 25 nM). Compared to the effects on rat platelets, HL 725 is about two-fold less inhibitory in human PRP (IC50, 94 +/- 29 nM) and whole blood (IC50, 126 +/- 50 nM). The inhibitory action of HL 725 can be reversed by washing and resuspension of the platelets, suggesting that HL 725 does not bind tightly to cAMP PDE. If human or rat PRP is pretreated with adenosine deaminase, an enzyme that degrades adenosine or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, the inhibitory effect of HL 725 is reversed. Similar blockade of the inhibitory actions of several other inhibitors of cAMP PDE such as RA 233, RX-RA 69 (analogs of dipyridamole) and oxagrelate is seen by adenosine deaminase pretreatment. The nucleoside transport inhibitors, dilazep and dipyridamole which are non-inhibitory alone to platelet aggregation, strongly potentiate (about 10-fold) the inhibitory action of HL 725 on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in human whole blood. However, if the whole blood is pretreated with adenosine deaminase, no inhibitory effect of dipyridamole plus HL 725 is seen on platelet aggregation. These studies demonstrate that plasma adenosine plays a crucial role in the antiaggregatory actions of HL 725 and several other inhibitors of cAMP PDE both in human and rat blood.     

Reduced sensitivity of platelets from type 2 diabetic patients to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)-its relation to metabolic control

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), which is recommended for primary and secondary prevention in diabetes mellitus (DM), has been shown to have a lower antiplatelet activity in diabetic patients. We conducted a crossover designed observational study to evaluate whether there is an association between the parameters relevant to metabolic control of diabetes and platelet sensitivity to aspirin in type 2 diabetic patients. Platelets' ability to adhere and aggregate was monitored with the use of platelet function analyser (PFA-100 collagen/epinephrine closure time, CT(CEPI) or collagen/ADP closure time, CT(CADP)), classical turbidimetric aggregometry and whole blood electrical aggregometry (WBEA), using collagen (WBEA(coll)), ADP (WBEA(ADP)) and arachidonic acid (WBEA(AA)) as platelet agonists, in 48 control healthy volunteers (mean age+/-S.D., 49+/-9 years) and 31 type 2 DM patients (50+/-9 years; HbA(1c) 9.4+/-1.6%). In majority of control subjects (69%) and minority of diabetic patients (29%, p=0.0006), the use of 150 mg aspirin daily for 1 week significantly reduced platelet adhesiveness and reactivity (by 14.1% in diabetes vs. 78.6% in control, p(np)=0.0035, as expressed by the relative changes in CT(CEPI)). Aspirin reduced WBEA(coll) and WBEA(AA) to a lesser extent in diabetic patients (by 2.1% vs. 8.3% in controls, p(np)=0.0397, and by 97.3+/-12.8% vs. 100% in controls, p(np)=0.0383, respectively), which corresponded to ASA-mediated decreased aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP, r(S)=0.45 and r(S)=0.78 for collagen- or arachidonate-agonized platelets, p<0.01 or lower). The maximal inhibition of platelet aggregation was lower and IC(50) higher in diabetic compared to control subjects, both in the presence of arachidonic acid (71% vs. 39%, p(np)0.0001; 0.5 microg/ml vs. 1.3 microg/ml, p<0.0001) and collagen (52% vs. 35%, p<0.0004; 1.6 microg/ml vs. 2.1 microg/ml, p<0.01). The reduced response of platelets from diabetic subjects to aspirin was associated with a higher level of HbA(1c), lower concentration of HDL-cholesterol and a higher total cholesterol concentration. Overall, there is evidence that reduced platelets response to aspirin may occur more often in diabetic patients. Poor metabolic control may play a role in the reduced platelet sensitivity to aspirin in DM patients. Thus, our findings strongly support the requirements for an excellent near-normal metabolic control and may suggest a need for alternative ASA dosing schedules in DM patients.     

Effects of dipyridamole and aspirin on shear-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood and platelet-rich plasma

BACKGROUND: Shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) is an important mechanism of thrombosis at arterial bifurcations or stenotic lesions. METHODS: We investigated the in vitro effects of dipyridamole (DP) and acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) on SIPA in whole blood and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). RESULTS: In whole blood, DP 20 microM significantly inhibited SIPA, while DP 5 microM or ASA 5 or 20 microM did not. SIPA in whole blood was, however, significantly inhibited by the combination of 5 or 20 microM of DP and ASA. SIPA in PRP was not inhibited by any concentration of DP or ASA, alone or in combination. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that DP has an effect on red blood cells and that ASA enhances the inhibitory effect of DP on SIPA in whole blood. These effects may be related to the additive effect of combination therapy with DP and ASA on stroke prevention.     

Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) plus dipyridamole versus dipyridamole alone in the prevention of stroke in patients with reversible ischemic attacks

A total of 243 patients who had reversible ischemic attacks (RIA) were submitted to clinical trial to determine whether dipyridamole (400 mg/day) (D) or aspirin (100 mg/48 hours) + dipyridamole (300 mg/day) (ASA + D) would produce significant reduction in the subsequent occurrence of RIA and completed stroke. One hundred and fifteen were selected for Group ASA + D and 71 were treated with dipyridamole only. The treatment groups were similar in relation to age, sex, risk factors, duration and presumed vascular territory of RIA, incidence of alterations of arterial supra-aortic trunks, cerebral infarct (CT scan), and platelet function. Patients were followed for a mean time of 21 months. At the end of the study, 21.7% of the ASA + D group and 19.7% in the D group had suffered new episodes of RIA or completed stroke (p = 0.88). Frequency of stroke (reversible ischemic neurologic deficit or completed stroke) was 7.8% in the ASA + D patients and 9.8% in the D patients (p = 0.83). Subgroup analysis did not show significant differences either. It is concluded that ASA + D has no significantly greater beneficial effect than that observed with D alone in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic cerebral ischemia. However, a statistical Type II error cannot be excluded by the reduced number of recurrences.     

Platelet aggregation in human whole blood after chronic administration of aspirin

We have used the impedance aggregometer to study the "ex vivo" effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in whole blood (WB) versus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in 35 male healthy volunteers after 10 days of treatment with 25, 50, 125, 250, and 500 mg/day of ASA. Percent of inhibition of platelet aggregation was determinated at the end of treatment. A greater inhibition of platelet aggregation was observed in WB than in PRP when ASA was administrated at almost all doses. Maximal differences were at 25, 50, and 125 mg/day of ASA on adrenaline, collagen and arachidonic acid induced aggregation, and with 250 and 500 mg/day of ASA when ADP was used as aggregating agent. In the "in vitro" trials, IC-50 values of ASA on ADP and collagen induced aggregation were determined in platelet aggregation by the impedance method in both WB and PRP. ASA shows a lower IC-50 in WB than in PRP. When leucocytes were incubated in PRP samples, it effect was similar to the percent of inhibition in WB.     

Effect of antiplatelet agents clopidogrel, aspirin, and cilostazol on circulating tissue factor procoagulant activity in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Tissue factor (TF) is the physiological initiating mechanism for blood coagulation. Platelets play an important role in monocyte TF expression, thrombosis and inflammation. Aspirin, clopidogrel and cilostazol, which inhibit platelet responses by different mechanisms, are widely used in patients with arterial diseases. We tested the hypothesis that platelet-inhibiting agents inhibit the levels of circulating TF procoagulant activity (TF-PCA) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Twenty-six patients with lower extremity PAD, average age 65.9 +/- 8.4 years (mean +/- SEM), were studied at baseline and following sequential two-week treatment regimens with aspirin (325 mg daily), clopidogrel (75 mg daily) or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor cilostazol (100 mg twice daily) singly, and with each possible combination of these agents. Circulating TF-PCA in whole blood, and plasma factor VIIa, prothrombin fragment F1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), and P-selectin were measured. Baseline TF-PCA levels in the patients were elevated (131 +/- 19 U/ml) compared to control subjects (23 +/- 2, p < 0.0001). TF-PCA levels declined following treatment with clopidogrel alone, and with combinations of clopidogrel with aspirin or cilostazol, with the lowest levels being with the triple-drug combination. Plasma P-selectin declined in all treatment groups. No changes were noted in plasma factor VIIa, F1.2 or TAT. In conclusion, treatment of PAD patients with antiplatelet agents decreases circulating TF, a molecule with prothrombotic and proinflammatory effects. These findings suggest an unrecognized mechanism, beyond inhibiting aggregation responses, for the efficacy of antiplatelet drugs in patients with arterial diseases.     

Meseclazone, 5-chlorosalicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid. Comparison of their effects on in vitro and ex vivo platelet aggregation.

Meseclazone and its major metabolite, 5-chlorosalicylic acid (5-CSA) have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity. The comparative effects of these compounds on pletelet aggregation were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). In vitro, meseclazone and ASA exhibited almost identical inhibitory potency of secondary phase ADP aggregation while 5-CSA was less effective. Moreover, collagen aggregation was inhibited by all three agents: ASA greater than meseclazone greater than 5-CSA. Thrombin-induced aggregation was inhibited to approximately the same extent by 5-CSA and ASA while meseclazone was inactive. The in vitro effects on the release-inducing aggregants were confirmed by ex vivo experiments in rats. These demonstrated that ASA and meseclazone inhibited collagen-induced aggregation 1 and 4 hr after oral administration although ASA was three to four times more active. ASA, but not meseclazone, was still effective 24 hr after administration. Bleeding times in rats 1 and 4 hr following oral administration of meseclazone and ASA were not altered. It is concluded that meseclazone and/or 5-CSA inhibit in vitro and ex vivo platelet aggregation initiated by the release reaction similar to ASA and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.     

Evidence with antiplatelet therapy and ADP-receptor antagonists

Antiplatelet drugs have been shown to prevent a range of atherothrombotic events, including transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and ischaemic stroke. Clopidogrel and ticlopidine are adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor antagonists that inhibit ADP-induced fibrinogen binding to platelets, a necessary step in the platelet aggregation process. The Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration recently published a major meta-analysis that assessed the effect of antiplatelet therapy in patients with various manifestations of atherosclerosis. In total, this analysis included 135,000 patients in comparisons of antiplatelet agents versus control and 77,000 patients in comparisons of different antiplatelet regimens. This meta-analysis found that overall, antiplatelet therapy reduces the combined odds of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) or vascular death by 22%, and that antiplatelet agents reduce the odds of a non-fatal stroke by 25% over a wide range of patients with or without a history of cerebrovascular disease. In the CAPRIE trial of clopidogrel versus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), there was a 10% odds reduction for stroke, MI or vascular death in favour of clopidogrel (p = 0.03). In a meta-analysis performed by the Cochrane Stroke Group, ADP-receptor antagonist therapy significantly reduced the odds of a serious vascular event (stroke, MI or vascular death) by 9% (2p = 0.01) and of any stroke by 12%. The safety/tolerability profile of clopidogrel was superior to that of ticlopidine, and at least as good as that of ASA. In CURE, a long-term benefit was observed with the use of clopidogrel on top of standard therapy (including ASA in all patients), with a 20% relative risk reduction for the primary endpoint of cardiovascular death, MI or stroke (p < 0.001) in patients with unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI. A consistent benefit was seen across all patient subgroups, including patients with a previous history of stroke. More recently, CREDO has demonstrated the incremental benefit of prolonged use of clopidogrel on top of ASA in patients undergoing elective PCI, with a 27% reduction in the combined risk of death, MI or stroke after 12 months of therapy (p = 0.02) and a 25% reduction in stroke over the same time period. The MATCH trial is currently being conducted to test the hypothesis that long-term administration of clopidogrel on top of ASA is superior to clopidogrel alone for the reduction of major ischaemic events in patients with recent TIA or ischaemic stroke who are at high risk of atherothrombotic recurrence. Further trials of clopidogrel on top of standard therapy (including ASA) are planned in neurology; these include SPS3, in patients with small subcortical strokes, and ATARI, in patients who have recently recovered from a TIA.     

Analysis of platelet alpha2-adrenergic receptor activity in stable coronary artery disease patients on dual antiplatelet therapy

Combined antiplatelet therapy reduces recurrent atherothrombotic events in stable coronary disease patients; however, high residual platelet reactivity measured ex vivo still raises concerns as a condition related to treatment failure. Alpha-2 adrenoceptor enhances platelet reactivity and might contribute to this phenomenon. For the present study, 121 stable angina patients on standard dual antiplatelet therapy (75 mg clopidogrel and 100 mg acetylsalicylic acid) were recruited. Born aggregometry was performed with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen and epinephrine. To verify platelet adrenergic activity, potentiation by low-dose epinephrine and inhibition by selective alpha-2 receptor blocker atipamezole were determined. To assess the P2Y(12)-specific residual activity, cangrelor was used. Plasma norepinephrine, soluble CD40-ligand, high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hsCRP) - and in 24 subjects platelet P-selectin positivity were measured. Epinephrine - at very low concentration (10(-9)g/ml) - significantly potentiates (1.25 microM ADP: 26.5% vs. 43%; 5 microM ADP: 53% vs. 64.5%; collagen: 17% vs 42%, p < 0.001) while atipamezole inhibits ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregations (1.25 microM ADP: 26.5% vs. 23%; 5 microM ADP: 53% vs. 47%; collagen: 17% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). Patients with high adrenergic activity have significantly increased baseline ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Based on cangrelor's efficacy, these patients have significantly more residual P2Y(12) activity as well. HsCRP and soluble CD40-ligand levels were similar. In conclusion, stable coronary heart disease patients with prominent adrenoceptor activity in vitro have significantly increased platelet aggregability and more functional P2Y(12) receptor, indicating poor inhibitory response to thienopyridines. Therefore, platelet adrenergic receptor represents a considerable, dynamic factor of high residual platelet reactivity and might contribute to cardiovascular events indicating failure of antiplatelet therapy.     

Baseline platelet activity and response after clopidogrel in 257 diabetics among 822 patients with coronary artery disease

The objective was to describe the indices of platelet aggregation and activation in a large cohort of diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently, a number of observations have indicated that patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) exhibit persistent platelet activation, and low response after antiplatelet therapy, although no randomized data exist. We sought to define the baseline platelet biomarkers, and the patterns of response to aspirin and clopidogrel therapy in DM versus non-diabetic patients. Secondary post-hoc analyses were made of platelet activity biomarkers in the dataset which consisted of patients with documented CAD (n = 822), including those with DM (n = 257). Patients with DM exhibited higher baseline platelet activity by adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- (p = 0.0002), and collagen-induced (p = 0.03) aggregometry; Ultegra- (p = 0.0001), and PFA-100 (p = 0.02) analyzers; and expression of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) (p = 0.01), glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antigen (p = 0.001), and activity (p = 0.02), vitronectin receptor (p = 0.03), P selectin (p = 0.02), and intact epitope of PAR-1 thrombin receptor (p = 0.02). Antiplatelet response after clopidogrel in diabetics was impaired when compared with non-diabetics. In conclusion, diabetic patients exhibit high pretreatment platelet activity, and do not respond well to the available antiplatelet regimens when compared with similar patients without DM. The clinical implications of these findings are unknown but are potentially important. Considering worsened outcomes in this high-risk population, clinical trials in DM are urgently needed in order to define the optimal degree of platelet inhibition and suitability for more aggressive antiplatelet regimens.     

Role of the T744C polymorphism of the P2Y12 gene on platelet response to a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel in 597 patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Variability in platelet response to clopidogrel and its clinical relevance have been well described. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, the T744C polymorphism of the P2Y12 receptor gene has been associated with enhanced platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers, suggesting a possible mechanism for modulation of clopidogrel response. AIM OF THIS STUDY: To assess whether the clopidogrel response may be influenced by the T744C P2Y12 gene polymorphism in patients with non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS). METHODS: 597 NSTE ACS patients were included in our study and were divided into 3 groups: CC homozygotes, CT heterozygotes ad TT homozygotes. All patients received loading doses of 600 mg clopidogrel and 250 mg aspirin at least 12 hours before blood samples. Clopidogrel response was assessed by post-treatment ADP 10 micromol/L-induced platelet aggregation (ADP-Ag), VASP phosphorylation (PRI VASP) and P-selectin expression (PS). Clopidogrel resistance was defined by persistence of High Post-treatment Platelet Reactivity (HPPR=ADP-Ag>70%). RESULTS: Significant variability in the distribution of platelet parameters was observed in the overall study population. No significant difference in platelet parameter profiles was observed within patients having the same genotype, for ADP-Ag (p=0.39), PRI VASP (p=0.97) and PS (p=0.62). The genotype frequencies of the T744C polymorphism of the P2Y12 gene were similar in responders and non responders defining by HPPR (p=0.75). CONCLUSION: Our study did not show any influence of the T744C polymorphism of the P2Y12 receptor gene on clopidogrel response assessed by ADP-Ag, PRI VASP or P-selectin expression in NSTE ACS patients.     

Significance of plasma adenosine in the antiplatelet activity of forskolin: potentiation by dipyridamole and dilazep

Forskolin, a plant (Coleus forskohlii) diterpene, inhibits ADP-induced (human: IC50, 2.3 +/- 1.0 microM; rat: IC50, 1.2 +/- 0.5 microM) and collagen-induced (human: IC50, 2.4 +/- 1.2 microM; rat: 0.6 +/- 0.2 microM) platelet aggregation in human and rat platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Human blood levels of adenosine (Ado) are low (100-300 nM) as compared to levels in rat plasma (7.55 +/- 0.51 microM). Ado is a natural antiplatelet and vasodilatory agent produced by vascular endothelium, heart and other body tissues. If the plasma Ado is degraded by pretreatment of PRP with adenosine deaminase (ADA), forskolin inhibition on platelet aggregation is reduced by 2-4 fold both in human and rat blood. On the other hand, if the physiological steady state levels of Ado are maintained by collecting the blood in the presence of the inhibitors of ADA (2'-deoxycoformycin, dCF, 5 microM) and Ado uptake (dipyridamole, 10 microM or dilazep, 2 microM), forskolin inhibition (IC50, 3.2 microM) on platelet aggregation in human PRP is potentiated by 20-40 fold (IC50, 0.075-0.15 microM). Similar potentiated forskolin effect (IC50, 0.53 microM) is seen if the ADA-treated human PRP is replenished with a low level of Ado (50 nM) after ADA inactivation by dCF and Ado-uptake blockade by dilazep. If the plasma is replenished with a higher concentration of Ado (300 nM), greater potentiation is seen (IC50, 0.23 microM). Forskolin is 2-4 fold more inhibitory in rat PRP than in human PRP, partially due to the presence of higher levels of Ado in the rat plasma. These studies demonstrate an important role of plasma Ado in the antiplatelet activity of forskolin and this effect can be greatly potentiated by the clinically used drugs, dipyridamole and dilazep.